How Does Water Affect the Angle of Diffraction for Light Through a Single Slit?

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AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the angle of diffraction for light passing through a single slit when immersed in water. The wavelength of light is 676 nm, and the slit width is 1.60 × 10^-5 m. The correct formula for the angle of the dark fringe is identified as sin(θ) = m(λ)/d, rather than using m + 1/2. After recalculating, the angle θ for the third dark fringe is determined to be approximately 6.38 degrees. The importance of using the correct diffraction formula is emphasized for accurate results.
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Homework Statement


Light of wavelength 676 nm in vacuum is incident on a single slit whose width is 1.60 × 10-5 m. The setup is then immersed in water whose index of refraction is 1.33. What is the angle θ that locates the third dark fringe with respect to the central bright fringe?

Homework Equations


1. sin\alpha = (m +1/2)\lambda/d
where \alpha is the angle of diffraction, \lambda is the wavelength, and d is the width of the slit
2. sin\anglei / sin\angler = n
where i is the angle of incidence, r is the angle of refraction, and n is the refractive index

The Attempt at a Solution


sin\alpha = (3 + 1/2)(676)(10^-9)/(1.6)/(10^-5)
sin\alpha = .147875
\alpha = 8.5037997

sin\alpha = sin\anglei ( i presume, so...)
.147875/sin\angler = 1.33
sin\angler = .11118421
\angler = 6.383584609

i'm not sure is theta = \angler
 
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i figured it out. i was using the wrong formula for diffraction. instead of m + 1/2, i should have been using m

sin(theta) = m(lambda)/(d) instead of m+1/2
 
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